RakimThat’s Me (Part II)

Maybe it was too good to be true, but a collaborative album between Rakim and Dr. Dre—Oh My God—was worth finding out. Aside from his appearance on Truth Hurts’ smash R&B hit “Addictive,” Ra’s stint on Aftermath seemed doomed after years went by with no album to show for it. So when the inevitable split with Aftermath came in 2003, things looked grim for Ra. But his future looks bright since getting his C.E.O. on, founding his new label Ra Records (Click HERE for Part I of the interview if you missed it yesterday). With his new album, The Seventh Seal, on the way, Rakim Allah finally tells the truth about why he couldn’t work with Dr. Dre.

Back when you were leaving Aftermath, you said in some interviews that Dre wanted to go in one direction and you wanted to go in another. What exactly did you mean by that?
The artist that I am is the artist I want to remain. My integrity and my pride for my craft, hip-hop and the hood is something that I don’t want to play with. Dre, I respect him. He’s a smart cat, man. He knows what’s in the mainstream. But at the same time, picking the guns back up and talking about a lot of the dirt that I’ve been around and seen, I don’t think that’s a smart move for me right now. I respect the people that I been around. I respect the neighborhood too much. I don’t want to play myself short with that. The things that I’ve seen and the people that I’ve been around is real people. I respect them, and I’m not going to do nothing to put them out there.

So, do you feel like there was a sort of pressure for you to talk about more street stuff when you were on Aftermath?
Yeah, because basically that’s what Dre wanted to me to do. That was Dre’s direction. My direction is the direction that I’ve been going in for the last few years.

Was there ever a time Dre sat down and said, “You should rap about this sort of thing”?
In a nutshell, no doubt. Dre got his people around him that would speak to me, or they would ask my manager to ask me. Sitting down in the studio and speaking to Dre, he would most of the time say, “Well, that’s what I want you to talk about, Ra.” Things that go on in the ’hood, things that I’ve been around—that’s what he wanted me to speak on and that was clear. And [from] some of the people at his label, that was they message as well.

So you wouldn’t want to rap about things that go on in the streets?
I do grimy records, but it has to have a purpose. One of the grimiest records I did was “Juice,” and that was for a movie. Its purpose was to show you the difference between what you think juice is and what happens if you take the wrong road. If I feel there’s a justification for it, like the Truth Hurts song that I did—that record right there was a little controversial for me because of the content that I spoke on. A lot of people used to think I sold drugs, but I never did. But it’s to the point now where everybody know I don’t sell drugs. But on the record, [“Addictive”] was speaking on how she love her man regardless of what he do or what his job is. Regardless of where he at, he turn her pages. I like the song, I like Truth Hurts as an artist, so I did the song. I felt it was a little controversial, but that’s what the song was calling for. I like to make a point with what I do. I don’t want to keep doing the same thing that I might have done before or keep doing the same thing that everybody else is doing right now. I don’t feel that’s good for Ra, I don’t think the world want that from Ra and I definitely don’t want to hear that from Ra myself.

So when he was trying to get you to go in that direction, where did you see your lyrical content going?
I like the more conscious levels of hip-hop that bring awareness. I’m trying to get out of the stereotype that they put us in. Everybody don’t have to rap about selling drugs, everybody ain’t gotta rap about guns. A lot of people seen it, a lot of people been through it, but [if] you saturate the game with it, it gets to the point where that’s all there is. I’m that other dude; I want to rap about something else, I want to say something else. And at the end of the day, the ’hood is going to embrace it. That’s who I am. But I don’t have to speak on negativity. If I got 15 records on my album, all 15 of them don’t have to be about the ghetto miseries.

Lyrical content aside, were there other reasons working with Dre was difficult for you? Did you have different methods of working?
Nah, I can work in the morning, work at night—that’s really no problem. It was just the content; I was trying to get on the same page. That’s the main problem. Sometimes I get up in the morning now and work on something. If I feel like the creative energies is flowing, I do it in the morning, if not I wait till eight, nine, 10 at night when it get a little quieter. The time and the situations, that’s nothin’. I’m flexible with that.

People say that Dre is kind of a control freak when it comes to his music. Is that something you experienced?
Dre has been doing what he’s been doing for a while and he feels that that formula is it. When something’s not broke, you don’t fix it, and that’s his formula. The only thing is, he gotta look at the artist sometimes. I came from my own beginnings as far as hip-hop. I didn’t want him to feel that I was going to do 15 records about peace and shit. But, at the same time, I just wanted him to respect who I was because I respected who he was. I like rhyming on more New York–oriented music, but I told Dre, “Look dude, I know what you do. I love what you do. The world love what you do. So I have to get on some of them West Coast tracks.” Of course he’s going to put a little Ra swing on it, but that’s what Dre do. That’s what we love him for. I was ready to make the change and meet him halfway and I just wanted him to meet me a little more halfway as far as who I was and what I wanted to do.

At this point in your career, you don’t really have to prove anything to anyone. Realistically, what kind of commercial expectations do you have for this next album?
I want to kind of finish what I started. It got to the point where it’s eating me up. But as far as commercial [expectations], I’m not really reaching for nothin’. I think the world know what I do. They not expecting me to be extra radio-friendly as far as the sound of my music. I wanna do good music. I know the producers I’m gettin’ at is gonna give me that big music, and I’ma do what the track calls for. That’s the main thing that me and Eric B used to do when we did our album; we didn’t sit down and try to make a single. We did 12, 13, 14 records on an album and after we finished the 14, we sat down and picked a single. But I think nowadays, people try to reach for a single or try to make a single. I just like to let it flow, man. I like the beat to tell me what to do and I take it from there. When I walk down the street for a young kid to say, Oh, that’s one of the greatest ever right there. That’s enough for me. I don’t have to reach.

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bluerid

THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS RAKIM HOW YOU DO?HOPE YOU IN A BETTER PLACE THEN I AM.

jojochicago

The last thing we need is more gangsta muzik from cats that are not gangsta. Also, if Rakim put out another album, he better have a deal where he can sell a hundred thousand and make a milion dollars because it won’t go gold! The time has come and the time has passed. do i hear Surreal Life? Try tv or movies.

Joost

Illest rapper ever. Good to hear he’s dropping an album this summer.

Chilly

every album he’s done has been GOLD plus status. bluerid sounds like one of those 21 emcees who lack what the GOD has, “SKILLS”.

dareel hiphop

If it wasn’t for brotha RA, you wouldnt have a nas, jay-z, biggie tupac, method man. He was and is the god who first brought a real texture to lyrics and ruff ryhmes. All do respect to rakim allah first before these other cats. Recognize and smell the hood before you jump on these new jacks nuts.

bluerid

stfu chilly i dont need words to communicate.

bluerid

marshall im in deep shit can u help me out please.

Kev-la G

Two bulls in the same kraal..that ain’ gon work..Rakim is a legendary MC and Dre’s a legendary producer..But Dr Dre is Dr Dre…if ya’ll think he’s a control freak…shit,it works for him,he damn knows wats rite…

http://peaceandpaper.blogspot.com/ Propaganda Life

That was a dope interview. From the minute he signed with aftermath we knew nothing would come out.

KEV-LA G, Dre damn sure knows what’s right for Dre, that doesn’t mean he knows what’s right for Ra. If Ra feels that way he’s probably right, no mc should do tracks he’s not comfortable with. I’m sorry to find out we’re never gonna hear Oh My God but Ra get’s nothing but respect for the move he made from me.

Freddy Freeloader

Now hopefully we’ll get to hear ‘The Seventh Seal’ at least next faal, I’m not getting my hopes up for a summer release.

bluerid

yeah from me to rakim respect.

let marshall go dr dre u did enough harm as it is already.

bluerid

marshall come pick me up theres a show on telly where they run around with army clothes shooting eachother with paintguns lmfao i wanna do that
after the show ill be mourning again.

bluerid

im sick of mourning marshall the dutch are making stupid jokes bout me on radio calling me roadrunner and stuff you have to start paying me.you made some expensive costs mister mathers and me staying any longer in holland would be total bullshit.so i want your wallet.

Speek

Yo! Man I Been Listen To Rakim / Eric B And Rakim For A Long Time All The Way Back In Days When Hip Hop Was At It’t Best. Now Hip Hop Is Full Of The Same Trash. Now For Rakim To Make A Come Back Album Is Somthing We All Hip Hop Heads And People Around The Wolrd Who Loves The Hip Hop Music To Check It Out Or Just From The Old School Days Who Was Rockin The Ghetto Blaster On Block We All Need Something New Fresh Or Just An Cat From The Days Who Is Willing To Put Down Once Again. Check Rev. Run And DMC. trying To Brining Back The Hip Hop Music. And For Dr. Dre Is Old School Dude But Working With Young Cats That Don’t Have Respect For The Hip Hop Music Just In It For The Money And We By Into The Trash Cause Someone Like Dre Putting His Stamp On The Records. Well Peace Out.

D.V.S

Look i am just waiting to hear from you music wise. I have been a fan since follow the leader till your last album. Drop something soon peace Ra.

D-Hunt (Ddhunt2006@aol.com)

His Lyrics in ’88 where better than 90% of rappers in 2006. Study your hip-hop hoes.

G-kal

That was love to have da god rakim interview, although it’s too bad that we won’t be hearing Oh My God, it would been hot as fuck!I just think that both dre and rakim were two big legends that were too powerful for for something this huge to even happen.It’s two forces bumpings heads trying to live up to high expectations
so just somethings so special may not happen is what my outlook is on the whole situation.No one is to blame, both rakim and dr. dre are legendary hip-hop figures and they will be legends forever.

bluerid

dr dre can say what he want i listened to hiphop long time especially old school shit. the only one i want to support me financielly is marshall cuz i aint trusting other men.thats my word.

bluerid

lol me being scared now.

xz

THE HIP HOP WORLD AIN’T LOOKING FOR THE BEST RAPPER ANY MORE….
THEY LOOKING FOR CORNY SILLY HITS….
RA BRING THEM BACK TO WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT..

Pitbull

Greatest rapper,Sorriest Father in hip hop.

Pitbull

His son is tryin for a deal .Dude shoppin demos but The God wont help,wont call i mean damn send a birthday card. dont get me wrong top MC. He’s been out the game for a minute. But out his sons’ life for 12years……..12Years………….

jp

The article speak to the problem of rap today. this new jack rappen about nohing.
Ra’s as an old school fan of yours I like what your saying and can’t wait for to drop something soon. These young kids need to hear you flow so they can hear real poetry flowing with meaning and depth.

Cfacta

I think Rakim is a dope MC, but the last few years have been hell for him. Actually, for a couple of years I thought he was dead. I don’t know if the new hip hop generation is ready for Rakim again. I hope he has some money saved up because he is gonna need it.

Damn typo, what I meant to say was BLESS THE MIC FOR THE GODS, SUN
ONE

dre

rakim is the god hands down can’t nobody argue with that. his technical flow and ability to give u a message in his ryhmes was bananas.

Chris Bowman

The God speaks, the world of Hip Hop listens!

On the Dre subject, i think you gotta remember when he was on Aftermath the majority of records comin out were “street” orientated.

If Ra was signed to Aftermath just now it might be a different story……who knows

ml78

the problem here my be breaks vs.keyboard drums- west coast production vs ny production,which is drum breaks off wax.can you name a rakim track that wasn’t off a break??.don’t get me wrong dre has chopped breaks too.it’s just a different sound.

How dare JOJOCHICAGO disrespect the god emcee like that… Rakim was doin this shit before you knew you were from chicago, asshole… no love

BIG UPS TO RAKIM FOR MAKIN HIS OWN LANE AND TYING UP THE LOOSE ENDS WITHOUT COMPROMISING HIS INTEGRITY… LONG LIVE CONSCIOUS RAP

http://www.myspace.com/independentvocalists GhettoBird

Big up to the God emcee…

jojochicago

ghettobird, i doubt if u have one eric b and rakim album! u probably going off what everybody is saying. u don’t know! Eric and Ra had 3 hot albums the last one sucked! Ra’s solo joint was aiight and he been on hiatus since. he get his credit for being the founding father of flow that that kool G to Nas now and still use but thats it! his reign was over by 90′…….jerk! Learn ya hip hop, turd!

Pitbull

Yall silly-ass fools callin this so-called 5percenter The God. A god would take care of his children All his children. Dont get me wrong the brotha got skills, one of the best who ever spit. But God. Yall praisin him like he cured Cancer. I didnt buy his last Cd i was to busy putting food on his sons table. Something THE GOD should have been doin. Praisin a false God yall clowns need to stop. The God..LOL..I give Chucky Cheese more credit..

ml78

worship the music not the man. get youre nose outta that ish that ain’t you’re biz.and get out you’re ears

Cfacta

PITBULL, WHY YOU DISSIN THE MAN LIKE THAT. DO YOU KNOW HIM PERSONALLY? IF SO, HIT ME UP WIT THE INFO AT bigkingcp@yahoo.com

radnuw

Rakim Allah is the Alpha and Omega… All real hip hop headz no that it’s ‘No Omega’ for Rakim Allah. Regardless of what people on this blog have to say about him.. his personal life is not in question here but his professional life made him legendary.

peace

EnglandRepresent

Niggas who don’t respect Rakim don’t respect hip-hop don’t get it twisted muthafuckas. This nigga one of the best to pick up a mic, his flow on that Truth Hurts tracks is mad nice. This album, if it comes out, Ghostface, Mobb Deep and maybe Busta is the albums I’m checkin for in the 06. Bring NY hip-hop back like 94-98.
Shout out to all Brixton manzs, Barrier Block hold this muthafucka down. One.

oklahoma

neva heard yo spit homie good luck

http://www.g-unit.com ben dover

ben-dover is the realest nigga alive holla at me apopka fl

miz

Man this boy is a legend man cats in philly still bump paid in full album with the real 50 cent kelvin martin on the album u dig let the rythem hit em R one

Shane

RAKIM IS THE MAN BIGUPS FOR THIS ARTICLE XXL KEEP YOUR SHIT BANGIN

http://source one

man who the fuck is this bluerid muthafucka. u sound like a fuck’n homo ass lil bitch.ur always talk’n about
some old sad shit like ur life is that messed up.well why dont u just shoot ur self and get it over with.marshal this marshal that emenim doesnt give a fly’n fuck about you.u remind me of that movie fatal atraction.and the sad thing about the shit is ur a man.every time i’m on this site ur on this site write’n some stupid shit like come pick me up marshal or save me marshal
or lets go hang out marshal.why dont u just say what u really want 2 say.let me suck ur dick marshal fuck me in the ass marshal.what a bitch.take marshal’s nut out of ur mouth.look everybody it’s stan in the flesh.

http://XXLmag.com Da Real

Dre make the beat ra write the rhymes bring them together and we will have a Hip-Hop bible

eastend jones

Rakim deserves the repect of the culture. Give it up to the man. I first heard of him over 20 YEARS AGO, and he is still spoken of often in this game. When it comes to this particular emcee record sales and statistics dont matter. Only in hip hop does a veteran artist get played for the amount of units he sells. In other forms of music, the fans just respect the product, IF they are truely a fan. JOJOCHICAGO commits often echo the thoughts of many I come across, and honestly he and others need to be schooled on there ignorance. To Rakim: keep doing what we love you for. ONE

IKI

It’s a shame Rakim & Dre couldn’t do their thang you know the album would have been a classic just like Games Documentry. I hope Rakim will be doin’ more shit with Dre even if he ain’t got any ties with Aftermath.

http://www.aftermath.com Dr Dre

this is Dr Dre i dont care if yall dont beleive its me but i just wanna get some shit off my chest, first of all hes actin like i didnt respect him for who he was in the same way he respected me. Thats straight bullshit an ra you still my nigga but please dont discredit me on some made up shit. The flows you was feelin was tight and i agreed with you all the way but what you need to remember is i make this music all day 7 days a week i knew what would work and what would not i didnt dictate to you how shit was gonna go down like you made out i just merely suggested an you disrespected me by not taking on board the advice i had to give. Anyway i wish you all sucess and just one thing about the old material you made at aftermath when you said you still had access to it well after reading that bullshit i think you need to fone me because i have confiscated that material i own the copyright to it anyway.

Greatmind777

If THIS is Dr. Dre you got the choice to respond but theres a world media that fuels off this which takes things out perspective and makes a living out of this its better you spoke to him in person called him or vice versa he spoke to you. A TRUE MAN with wisdom looking into the future reading life ahead would deal with this situation with growth involved. It’s takes a true man to walk away humble..HE”LL GROW INSTEAD OF MAKING A ASSUMPTON.. BUT YOU”LL COME BACK WITH A MORE WISER APPROACH …I KNOW I’m COMMENTNG ON SOMETHING THAT BETWEEN TWO INDIVIDUALS BUT IF I CAN HELP AS A BROTHER I WOULD AS IN THIS SITUATION AND I KNOW YOU’LL BOTH WISE BROTHERS…. Dont let something burn you but reverse the fire thats burning into fire of light within YOURSELF that mature’s your growth (THE EYE IS THE LAMP OF THE BODY BUT THE SPIRIT GIVES IT WISDOM) AS LONG AS THAT SPIRIT IS SOUND YOU’LL EXCELL TO GROWTH WITHIN. Dont let whats surrounding you(what people in your circle or unruly judgement within oneself distort your growth) YOU A Wise man Show it to the people let them know it’s better to grow then destroy… you a person on this earth that has a media with its radar up waiting for this type of situation at hand… My personal opinion is I would call him no matter what… I’ll be the one to make right without the stereo type they put us in.. I would’nt care what my friends think, the media or whoever because is for a righteous cause within self…The light ain’t from the outsight in it’s start from the inside out… And i truly beleive you got that…That’s the problem today they don’t want to here what’s good to our souls… there fuel pumps of this negative outlet when we can use the same outlet for the right cause…And if it’s the real Dre you ain’t got to let them know that you wrote this page period .. I bet you if you take my advise and just have sound approach to it you’ll come out much better within yourself….The childrens our future…We all gonna die but our spirits go on… eternally..And me reading it personally i wanted rakim to write like the way you wanted him to write) YOU KNOW TO PUT THESES SO CALLED RAPPERS IN THERE PLACE BUT I DONT THINK HE WANT TO DO THAT BECAUSE OF HIS PERSONAL REASONS) but i know he’s thinking about the kids and looking ahead of himself and does’nt want to write like that because he’s more consious of his surrouding and does’nt want to lead setting a bad example.. NOW THAT I’M SETTLED WITH WHAT RAKIM’S DOING I AGREE WITH HIM BECAUSE HE IS AN EXAMPLE AND HE’S THE BEST PERIOD… NO IF ANDS OR BUT’S ABOUT IT… READING HIS MATERIAL I CANT BELEIVE HE WROTE SUCH THINGS THERE MUST BE A ROOM FULL ANCIENT SPIRITS AROUND HIM SENT BY GOD HELPING HIS PEN WORK AND DISCIPLINE BUT REMEMBER NO MAN IS PERFECT…(Ra is a smart brother he’s reading things WAY AHEAD looking through things ya feel me) ……..FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR ALL ….GOD MAKE HIS ALTAR PERFECT WITH NO FLAWS…DONT MAKE YOUR OWN SET OF STEPS LEADING TO THE ALTAR..(….. BECAUSE IF YOU DO AND MAKE YOUR OWN SET AS YOU GO UP YOU’LL BE EXPOSED….GOD ALREADY MADE THE STEPS PERFECT FOR US…SO REMEMBER NOT TO MAKE OUR OWN SET OF STEP BECAUSE THERE MAN MADE… WHERE CREATED AS MAN SO WHY LISTEN TO WHATS CREATED RATHER LISTEN TO OUR CREATOR….ONE LOVE PEACE

Neophyte 19

Ra is a legendary EMCEE. He along with some of your greats from the past have paved the way for the artists of today. His whole rhyme format, the way he arranges his bars, gave birth to the modren EMCEEs who are doing their thing today. He, along with Kool G Rap, Kane, KRSONE and many others are the Fathers of Hip Hop today. When you begin to speak of Kool Herc, The Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash, The Furious Five, etc. then you begin to speak of the GRAND fathers of Hip Hop. (Grand in the sense of Great). To not respect them, is to not respect Hip Hop on the whole. You might as well listen to POP or R&B all day. (No disrespect to either form of music).

CONSTANT ELEVATION

Rakim is the best rapper lyrically period and i can prove it.. His wisdom when he speaks is for only for the chosen ones to see.. The rest of the negative ones are not suppose to see. They suppose to be right where there at mentally until its there time or just die in mental darkness.. And when negatve people even catch a glimse of light and wisdom there either change for the better or use what is ment for righteous-ness and use it for there own benefit meaning to be slick and crafty like there superior then the rest instead of us growing together as “one”. We have division at the table when we suppose come together at the table to eat food for thought we suppose to grow spiritual, mentally to manifest it physically to become wiser and i mean wiser not a wise ass.”CONSTANT ELEVATION”. Like for instance in his ryme – Mystery (who is god) he says in eternal blackness in the mist of the darkess night -(MEANINING YOUR MIND IS IN DARKNESS YOU CAN’T SEE SPIRITUAL YET)- protein and minerals exist in within spects of light.( MEANING LIGHT IS WHEN YOU AWARE OF THINGS IN THIS LIFE SPIRITUAL. GET IT YET. TAKE THE PILLOW FROM YOUR HEAD AND PUT A BOOK IN IT)THEN HE SAYS – solid, liquids, and gasses ( Meaning EVERYTHING in THIS LIFE IS MADE UP- OF THESES THREE COMPONENTS THAT WE USE ALL THINGS IN LIFE SO WE CAN GROW FROM ) .THEN HE SAYS – No beginning or ending and seven dimensions .. I
NOTHING TO PROVE PLUS IM TIRED STAY IN DARKNESS OR GROW THIS IS CHOICE NOT CHANCE.. YOU GOT A CHOICE TO BE IGNORANT OR DO WHAT YOU WANT BUT YOUR CHOICE DETIMINES YOUR DESTINY>>>THEN YOUR FUTURE IN THIS LIFE >>> RAKIM QUOTE EDUCATED PUNCH LINES THAT I HAVE TO HIT>>> KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN BEWARE OF A OVERDOSE>> CHILDREN IN THE MENTAL) JUST BECAUSE YOUR A MAN DOESNT MEAN YOUR GROWN UP SPIRITUALLY , MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY>>THIS IS A LIFE TIME MISSION VISION OF PRISON- A LIFETIME TO LEARN WHY WE ON THIS EARTH AND HOW SOME IS TRAP IN THERE MIND AS A PRISONER… TIME TO TAKE AWAY THE CHAINS REBUILD MY NAME… THE CHAINS IN YOUR MIND OF THINGS THAT KEEP YOU BLIND MENTALLY AND HOLD YOU DOWN FROM GROWNING >>YOUR NAME YOUR IDENTITY WHO YOU R IN THIS LIFE… HIS MESSAGE ARE HIDDEN THE EYE OF MAN BUT NOT TO UPCOMING CHOSEN ONES WHO R SPIRITUALLY CHOSEN TO HAVE ETERNAL LIGHT.. IT WILL BE SEEN SOONER OR LATER… HE CHOSEN FOR WHAT HE DOES IM CHOSEN WHAT I DO AND SO ON… ITS LIKE TRYING TO READ TO BIBLE AT FIRST NOT GETTING THE MESSAGE AT FIRST THEN GROWING MORE AND GETTING MATURE INTO IT..THEN YOU START TO UNDERSTAND AS YOU MATURE THAT YOU GOT TO HAVE TO
DRINK LIQUIDS FIRST THE YOU EAT SOLID FOODS AS YOU GROWN …. MANY WAYS TO SAY THE UNSAID BORN WITH THREE SEVENS IN MY HEAD… I TOOK THE KID AND CUT OFF HIS EYE LIDS ( I CUT THEM OFF SPIRITUALLY NOT MEANING PHYSICALLY, YOU CANT CLOSE YOUR EYES WITHOUT YOUR EYE LIDS, NO YOU CAN SEE WHATS COMING AT ALL TIMES) KILLING HIM SLOW SO HE CAN SEE WHAT I DID- NOT KILLING FOR REAL BUT KILLING HIS OLD WAYS OF THINKING AND MAKING HIM GIVE BIRTH TO THE TRUTH> GET IT YET>>> IF HE DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT I SAID IM PUSHING HIS EYEBALLS WAY TO THE BACK OF HIS HEAD SO HE CAN SEE WHAT HE IS GETTING INTO THE PART OF THE MIND HE NEVER BEEN THROUGH THE JOURNEY IS COMING CAUSE HE’S GETTING SENT TO A PLACE HARDER TO FIND BUT IT ALL IN THE MENTAL I RUN A BRAINSCAN TO LOCATE HIS GAMEPLAN WHEN I THROUGH WITH HIS BRAIN
HE AINT THE SAME MAN DID HE LOSE HIS MIND OR GOT LOST IN HIS MIND BUT THIS AINT THE LOST AND FOUND BECAUSE HE CANT FIND HIS FOUNDATION, IT,S COASTING, YOUR MIND IS DRIFTING IN SLOW MOTION, FROZEN. IT’S LIKE ANOTHER MURDER IN THE MARDI GRAS BEE( MEANING A MURDER OF YOUR SO CALLED IMMATURE IDENTITY TO GIVE BIRTH TO WHAT IS REAL AND MORE PURE IN WISDOM,
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING WHICH WHAT HE’S WRITING IN TRUE RYME FORM) ONCE YOUR OUT OF YOUR HEAD YOU CANT GET BACK I GIVE THEM A MAP BUT THEY STILL GET TRAP . PREPARE THE CHAMBER >>THE TORTURE IS COMING AS YOU TRIP TROUGH THE MIND AT THE END YOU WILL FIND IT THE PUNISHER… ( HE DIDNT SAY HE WAS THE PUNISHER HE SAID YOUR OWN MIND IS YOUR OWN DESTRUCTION.MIND TAKES X-RAYS SO LISTEN CLOSELY FROM THE DARKNESS THERE BECAME THE LIGHT CLEAR OUT OF A DARK NIGHT NOW IM HERE TO SPARK THE MIC…THE WORLD IS OUT OF SIGHT. THE FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE NOT EVEN A SATELITE NOW STOP AND TURN AROUND AND LOOK AS YOU STARE INTO DARKNESS YOUR KNOWLEDGE IS TOOK > KEEP STARING SUDDENLY YOU’LL SEE A STAR YA BETTER FOLLOW IT CAUSE IT’S THE “R”. THIS IS A LESSON IF YOUR GUESSING OR BORROWING >>HURRY HURRY STEP RIGHT UP
AND KEEP FOLLOWING THE LEADER…WORD TO DADDY INDEED.THE R IS ROLLOING STONE SO IM ROLLIN THE RECORDS
WHERE TOLD THEN THE RYMES ARE STOLEN THE BROTHER SAID DIG HIM I NEVER DUG HIM HE COULD’NT FOLLOW THE LEADER SO I DRUG HIM HE SHOULD HE SHOULD ARRANGE HIS OWN, FACE IT, ITS BASIC, CHANGE THE TONE.. HES TALKING TO BIG DADDY KANE HE STOLE HIS STYLE IN RAPPING SO HE CHANGE HIS RYME FORM TO PROVE HES THE ORIGINATOR OF IT AND TELLING KANE THE FOLLOW THE ORIGINATOR BUT KANE COULD’NT
COPY IT BECAUSE RA WAS THE TRUTH AND THE REAL ORIGINATOR OF THE RYMES AND HE CONFUSED KANE SO MUCH IT MESSED HIM UP LYRICLLY TRYING HIS BEST THE FOOL THE PUBLIC BECAUSE IF YOU DONT KNOW YOULL THINK KANE WAS REAL WHEN HE WAS THE ONE TO STEAL RAKIMS STYLE OF RAP
KANE TRY TO BE CLOSE BUT RAKIM TOOK HIM INTO ANOTHER DIMENSION BUT IS WAS ALL FUN BACK THEN EVERYONE MADE BETTER WAYS TO BATTLE

THATS WHY RA CHANGE HIS FLOW UP BECAUSE HIS NMIND HAS COLORFUL IDEAS PEOPLE STILL TALKING THE SAME SHIT HE MADE IN 86 BUT JUST IN DIFFERENT WAYS BEING SLICK WITH THERES WORDS BUT IT DONT FOOL HIM AND HES MATURED TO TEACH IN HIS RYME FORM AT LEAST SOME TYPE OF SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE HAS TO BE PUT IN HIS RYME FORM AND HE DONT WANT TO BE LIKE THE REST BECAUSE IF HE WAS TO CHANGE AND DO WHAT THEY DOING THATS EASY FOR HIM BUT HE GOT ALOT OF PEOPLE IN PERSONAL LIFE THAT LOOK UP TO HIM AND HE HAS TO A POSITIVE DIRECTION AND IF HE WAS TO DO LIKE THEY DO IT HE HAS TO HAVE RIGHTEOUS CAUSE FOR IT WITH POSITIVE MESSAGE INVOLVED REMEMBER WE GOT KIDS FOLLOWING BELEIVING IN THIS SHIT THEY BE GETTING BRAIN WASHED AND SHIT THEY AINT TO BRIGHT THESE DAYS… CONSTANT ELEVATION WITH THE PROPER ELEMENTS OF AWARENESS IS THE KEY THIS GENERATION…EVERYDAY A LEARNING EXPERIENCE… IF WE AINT FOR EACH OTHER WE AGAINST EACH OTHER… IF THIS PLANET WAS A BIG HOUSE AND IN THE KITCHEN OF THE HOUSE IS WHERE WE GO TO EAT WE GOT TO EAT THE RIGHT FOODS TO MATURE SO WE CAN BE HEALTHY AND AT THE TABLE WE ALL EAT TOGETHER (MEANING EATING FOOD FOR THOUGHT)AS ONE THEN WELL GROW BECAUSE THE MORE CHAINS IN THE LINK THE STRONGER THE LINK WILL BE>> BUT IF THERE DIVISION AT THE TABLE AND WE GOT ONE OR SAY COUPLE OF BAD APPLES AT THE TABLE TRYING TRYING TO DIVIDE US SO WE CAN SEPARATE WAGING WAR AND ALL TYPE OF CHAOS AND SHIT>>> BUT YOULL SEE WHOS WHO WHILE READING THE POST MESSAGE HERE WHO BLIND OR JUST MENTALLY NOT AWARE YET TO THE REAL…RAKIM – I DONT LET IT GET TO ME THE WRITER WILL BE LEFT TO DIE……MENTAL DEATH>> WE ALL MUST FACE PHYSICAL DEATH BUT WHAT ABOUT ETERNAL SPIRITUAL DARKNESS
COMPETITION IS NONE I REMAIN AT THE TOP LIKE THE SUN( IF MY MIND HAD THE LIGHT FILL WITH WISDOM AS BRIGHT AS THE SUN TRY TO COME CLOSE TO IT WHAT HAPPENS YOU’LL BURN, NOW IF THE SUN DISAPPEARS FROM THE EARTH WHAT HAPPENS , SIMPLE WE ALL DIE, HE GAVE A GOOD DISCIPTION OF THIS AND I’LL REPEAT IT.. COMPETITION IS NONE I REMAIN AT THE TOP LIKE THE SUN AND I’LL BURN WHO COMES IN THE CHAMBERS OF TORTURE I CAUGHT YA, YOU SHOULD OF BROUGHT YA NEIGHBOR HOOD TO SUPPORT YA, NO ONE IN MY PATH CAN WITHSTAND, UNDER THE PRESSURE, AND THE RAFT OF A SWIFT MAN, YOU NAME THE DAY , THE GROUNDS WILL BE NEUTRAL, YOU SPEAK YOUR PEACE , THE FEELINGS MUTUAL, WE CAN GO FROM TOPIC TO TOPIC, WHENEVER I DROP IT, TRY TO STOP IT, IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT THE BROTHER HEARD , HE TRIED TO CATCH, BUT WHAT OCCURED, TO MUCH WEIGHT FOR ONE BRAIN TO TAKE, HE TRIED TO CONCENTRATE TO MAINTAIN THEN ELEVATE, BUT FROM GRAM TO OUNCE , POUND TO POUND NO MATTER THE WEIGHT YOU CANT HOLD MY MIND DOWN, PERMANENT DAMAGE I DO AWAY WITH , NO TIME FOR FUN, CAUSE I DONT PLAY WITH COMPETITOR’S, THERE’S ONLY ONE WHEN I’M DONE , COMPETITION FOR THIS TO MENTION IS NONE……. SEVEN HOLES IN MY FACE AS IM LOOKING OUT MY WINDOW..meaning TWO HOLES IN YOUR NOSE !ONE IN EACH EAR THATS TWO, ONE IN MY MOUTH, AND ONE IN EACH EYE THAT TWO WITH ALL SEVEN … IF YOU AINT WISE THEN DONT EVEN COME, COMPETITION FOR THIS TO MENTION IS NONE… IM UNTOUCHABLE YOU SEE ME IN 3D…ELEVATE OFF A HIGH EYE QUE IN TIME YOU’LL FIND I’M TRUE CAUSE ONCE START ON A PEICE OF ART FROM SUN TO MOON FROM DARK TO LIGHT I BUILD AN ARK…..TAKE A PEEK AT THE SKYLINE CAUSE HOW I’LL SHINE WHEN I RYME…..TAKEN PIECE’S AND BITS OF ALL MY HIP HOP HITS…I SIT BACK AND OBSERVE THE WHOLE SCENARY, AND TELL YOU WHAT IT MEAN TO ME, STRICTLY BUSINESS, I’M QUICKLY IN THIS MOOD AND I DON’T CARE IF THE WHOLE CROWDS THE WITNESS, I GONNA TEAR YOU APART BUT I’Ma SPEAR YOUR HEART, program into the speed of the rhyme, prepare to start,
rhythm’s out of the radius, insane as the craziest
musical madness MC ever made, see it’s
now an emergency, open-heart surgery…
open your mind, you will find every word’ll be
furier than ever, I remain the furture,
battle’s tempting…whatever suits ya!
For words the sentence, there’s no resemblance,
you think you’re ruffer, then suffer the consequences!
I’m never dying-terrifying results,
I wake ya with hundreds of thousands of volts,
mic-to-mouth resuscitation, rhythm with radiation,
novicane ease the pain it might save him,
if not, Eric B.’s the judge, the crowd’s the jury…
How do I plead to homicide?
Lyrics of Fury!

Watts Child

I’m glad to hear one of best lyrisist in Hip Hop is going to drop an album. One of the elements this Rap-Game needs most is refreshing content that speaks to more than fantacy driven wannabe hard guys. A grows up into a man and rids himself of childish things. RA is an example of the proper musturation of our people in our music. No one stays the same and if you do, its because you’re afraid of becoming a man and stepping the game up to another level of conciousness. Its called real life.

God Bless RA!

http://www.tagworld.com/cornelius_neil/ Cornelius Tomblin

It’s good to see Rakim sticking to his guns and keeping his integrity. It’s also good to see that Rakim start his own record label and be a leader in the Hiphop music industry. I can’t wait for the album to come out.

Caput Rukahs

Thats Life……..but keep livin yourz Ra…you have mad support.

Las Vegas

Ra is shit, he is old stuff, nobody will buy it.

TruEmcee85

First of all, Ra is almighty. His skills that he spit in the days can still light up any party, anywhere, with anyone. Who else can hear “I came in the door, I said it before, I never let the mic magnitize me no more…” without getting up and dancing (NOTE: TO ALL OF YOU YOUNGSTAS TOO STUPID TO COUNT BACKWARDS FROM 3 TO REACH 1, DANCING IS WHAT WE DID WHEN GOOD MUSIC WAS PLAYED AT THE PARTY, YOU HEARD?)

Ra is the base of true hip-hop, not the corporate run, bathroom-deal-making, simply-nigga-with-a-tape nonsense that we got now. He is one of the last grand figures who, even deaf, dumb and blind, can still outshine EVERYONE today.

Ra made records that touched our generation, and the last one. Do you think tbat you can listen to some of these cornball, bunghole gangstaz in 2009 and feel the same way? DON’T PLAY YOURSELF BY SAYING YEAH.

Ra spit rhymes that you recited and remembered, not this fried-egg-bullcrap that you need a Playstation game to help you write. In fact, most of the MCs back then used a dictionary and theasaurus to jot their craft. Today, there are no MCs. Just aluminum foil rappers with just enough sense to fall on a roach without charging it to run under them. MC now means Make Cash, but with no talent.

When Ra comes back, bow down. There is no compromise, no bending, no “I’ll only do this once”, and no apology. Behold, youngsta, real music is coming back!!

bluerid

RAKIM CAN U PLEASE LYRICLY SLAUGHTER SOME MORONS FOR ME.??PLEASE?

bluerid

TRUAMCEE85 WOW HE ONLY DOES THIS ONCE THAT WILL BE AN ALBUM I WILL JUST HAVE TO ”POSESS”I HAVE ALL FAITH IN HIM BEING CLEAN FROM DR DRE GOTTA BE SOME WICKED SHIT HE GONNA PUT OUT.

Amenra

Its good 2 hear something from u.
Much success Rakim.
Peace & Love

R-D

I for one am glad that The God Rakim Allah, is not workin with Dre. I know I’m in the minority…I understand that. I know that everyone thinks that Dr. Dre is the “best” producer ever….but I don’t see it. I don’t hear it. He does what he does and it’s whatever, but his beats don’t deserve (yes deserve) Rakim Allah. I don’t want to hear Ra, bless ear drums over some corny ultra digital, clean keyboard beat. Ra is street, he’s grimy, and his rhymes need that same sound to back him up.

This just proves that these corporate rap cats are not about true hip hop. How can he disrespect the God by suggesting he do some wack gun/drug rap? This is RAKIM!! You don’t tell him what to rhyme about. Especially when you had to get Ice Cube to write your rhymes way back when. No respect what so ever.

This is one of two men who made me pick up a pad and pen. Thanks for giving my life extra meaning when I was a kid. I can still vividly remember when I first heard “I Ain’t No Joke”. Rakim Allah: the best MC in Hip-Hop History. (Q-Tip is the other guy who made me wanna do my thing.)

Kosmas

I´m just happy Rakim is back in the game. Some here don´t seem to like that, but I for one can´t wait for the album.
What Rakim does on the Mic, nobody else can. That´s how I see it. Yeah sure you had Biggie, Tupac, Jay-Z, Nas, DMX … but nobody had the impact that Ra had on me.
Ra do you thing! by the way I live in Germany and I´m more than interested in his activities. And like Aaliyah once sang (though she meant it clearly in another context) Age ain`t nothing but a number! Ra´s still number one!

It is truly amazing; This Hip Hop legend continues to keep his cool. Cats gotta understand; when you blessed with skillz and seen tha hood the way Ra has, a brotha gotta realize, Ra gave us jointz that we still listen to; spoke on subjects we regulate on tha daily; and showed us being a man ain’t about how many women you do; but understanding tha mental and being true to her and to himself. Elevation is apart of life, no matter what you’re doing.

We as men gotta continue to elevate our game as well as stay on point for ourselves as well as family.
Musically he already forged ground that other MC’s did’nt conquer and keep us guessing to his arsenal of hits which lyrically painted a canvas we were all too eager to listen to only later realizing he hit his target on multiple levels.

Despite the drama, cut away the negativity of bad press and you come to realize: RA has always been true to tha game and is steadfast and secure when droppin gems with his signature style. Call him GOD, Master or even tha toughest lyrical Rhythmlord on tha mic to date; We still gonna wait; anticipate and study tha servings of his work!

Believe that!

hiphophistorian…

its good to hear Ra ready to rip it agian.he did his thing @bbkings and even let his son freestyle. kid is nice. Ra can sell 100k 1st week and what cat wouldnt rhyme on his joint.only ? i have is what eva happended with the law suit with defjam over the landmark album “paid in full”

http://iwritebecauseisuffer.com r.l.will.sun

Let me say this…………RAKIM is still the illest muthafuckin lyrist in the entire history of HIP HOP, period. I’m bumping “FOLLOW THE LEADER” album right now. It is probably the greatest recorded rhymes, ever. I seen him @ BB Kings, NYC on 2.27.06. I heard the new joint “It’s Nothin.” The GOD, still sounds better than 90% of the shit that’s out there. peace, Rashad Allah.

http://iwritebecauseisuffer.com r.l.will.sun

(7) God: Allah is God. The supreme being Blackman, who is the original black man, is God Allah, Lord of All the Worlds, Supreme Ruler of the Universe, which is everything: sun, moon, and stars (God is the sun in the solar system, Man is the sun, Woman is the moon, Child is a star).

http://www.raahspot.org RAAAH!

hopefuly, rakim’ll put an end to ALL these fake ass mtv bet rappers outthere!

time for some REAL hiphop
time for a REAL mc
time for some REAL lyrics

DHASS

dre u and rah need to finish that
project. stop bullshittin it aint about da doe yall both rich. give
the people what they want and drop that tug o war shit. drop hot joints
i can bang in lex.

http://aftermath.com Dr Dre

this is Dr Dre i dont care if yall dont beleive its me but i just wanna get some shit off my chest, first of all hes actin like i didnt respect him for who he was in the same way he respected me. Thats straight bullshit an ra you still my nigga but please dont discredit me on some made up shit. The flows you was feelin was tight and i agreed with you all the way but what you need to remember is i make this music all day 7 days a week i knew what would work and what would not i didnt dictate to you how shit was gonna go down like you made out i just merely suggested an you disrespected me by not taking on board the advice i had to give. Anyway i wish you all sucess and just one thing about the old material you made at aftermath when you said you still had access to it well after reading that bullshit i think you need to fone me because i have confiscated that material i own the copyright to it anyway.

Amani

I feel like Dre and Rakim are good artist. I was raised in the era of Pete Rock CL smooth, Dr. Dre, ice Cube, Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, Slick Rick, Kool G. Rap and so on. I think both are legends in the rap game. But sometimes opposites attract, and sometimes they don’t. In this case both artist to me are totally different in the style of rap to their lyrics. I love them both can’t wait to here Dre come out with something as well as the legend Rakim. What hip-hop needs right now is a dose of what put it on the may in the first place and that going back to their roots.

Dr Dre

does anyone know where i can get some drugs?

Real Talk

I think Dre is dumb if he didn’t see Ra point that’s fucked up!!!!!

TeeNyce

You gotta show Respect where respect is due… The R*A*K*I*M is no joke and he proved that in the late 80′s
I respect both Dre and Rakim and really wish they could work out there creative differences, because the both very talented individuals but together they can do damage. I feel what rakim is saying about stickin to his guns and not changing what he speaks on, hey if it aint broke dont fix it. I think Dre should have respected that and let ra’ do ra’.

FOCUZED

JOJOCHICAGO…i will put any ERIC B & RAKIM ALBULM UP AGAINST ANY CD FROM YOUR FAVORITE ARTIST. I WILL BET THAT MAJORTIY OF THE PEOPLE ON LINE WILL SAY IT IS SOME OF THE GREATEST MUSIC CREATED. THE LACK OF RESPECT FOR THE PAST. I BET YOU DON’T BAD MOUTH EARTH, WIND & FIRE IN FRONT OF YOUR FATHER…get the shit kicked out of you. Get the CD’s and make comments…

FOCUZED

Some of the artist out right now could not make a cd in th 90′s…back then you had to make a single before getting a record deal…now they just get a deal because your state or block is hot..i say no skill no fucking record deal….

http://www.murphyprojects.com SHAHEIM ALI

YO NOT ON NO CHILDISH SHIT OR NOTHING LIKE THAT BUT FUCK THAT HOMO NIGGA DRE! NIGGA NEED TO STAY IN CALI. HOW HE GONNA TRY TO PLAY A LEGEND??? FUCK THAT MUTHAFUKA! ONE LOVE RA!!!

Deejay J. Maestro

You know…? I have hearing a lot of account from various people around, that Dre` is bi-sexual!!! And that Tupac was going to tell it all about being a faggot!!! Now… Let me give you little history about me. I use to be in a Hip Hop band in Los Angeles, CA. The name of this group was called, Rip Goverment (we were all into ISLAM). All of us where from various parts of the northern, north-east, or east coast area of the country. “I, myself, originally from Alton and Chicago, il.” And started my rappin’ in L.A. since 1985. And use rap with a lot brothas around. I even use to rap with Snoopy too (Snoop Dogg & D.P.G.). My group have this war with N.W.A. “We didn’t like the gangsta way they rhyme.” Because it promoted too much hate and voilence; etc.. And we didn’t care too much for Easy E. & Dre`, mostly. We all use to preform at the same clubs around L.A. And my group were working on tapes in the recording studios, in Hollywood. Trying our best into putting an dope album together. Well anyway…. I kept on hearing rumors about Dre` being gay then…. But all i thought that it just somebody he may pissed off for something. But i kept on hearing this particular rumor about him…… But nowadays, people are really sayin’ its really true about Dre`! I’m like WOW! Dre`z a FAGGOT!!! Now! That’s a Low Down Dirty Shame!!! We don’t no FAGGOTS in Hip Hop!!! POINT BLANK!!! And Rakim may have founded about him. And that’s may be the reason for Rakim desolving the connection with him. “It’s like dealing with the DAM DEVIL!!!” “You dig what i’m sayin’, my brotha? SALAAM

badussy (ceedee)

OIL

WATER

DR. DRE

RAWKIM

DONT MIX.

http://flodrastic CIPHERDIVINESELF

ra is a king in his own right,and remember suge ran dre ass off the west peace.com

http://www.tagworld.com/flodrastic CIPHERDIVINESELF

yup i said it mf a nicca name dre

UNBELIEBABLE

watch out I’m comin

http://james.hueycomcast.net babyhuey

YO CONSTANT ELEVATION ….
we on the same page family,
the 18th letter in my opinion
is his best work ever
track- “who is god” is god sent.

http://www.1nitestand.blogspot.com Aleister Crowley

This is what happens when i sto subscribing to xxl. i didn’t know about this interview and the upcoming album

J SUN

BIG UP TO RAKIM….. ONE OF THE ILLEST EVER…..

CONSTANT ELEVATION

THIS RAKIM’S LYRICS FROM “THE PUNISHER” BROKEN DOWN TO A LEVEL TO SHOW YOU HE’S THE BEST PERIOD THEN YOU TELL ME WHO’S THE BEST MC PERIOD…HE WAY BEYOND THERE MENTAL OR SPIRITUAL THINKING PERIOD…

THE MIND WILL PUNISH THEM BECAUSE THEY DONT UNDERSTAND IT…..

IF YOU CURSE ME IT AIN’T NO MERCY…

GIVE THEM A AUTOPSY …..

THEY KILLED BY A VERSE OF ME….

I TOOK THE KID AND CUT OFF THERE EYELIDS…..(NOT MEANING CUTTING THEM OFF PHYSICALLY BUT SPIRITUALLY).. (IF I CUT OFF YOUR EYELIDS YOU CAN’T CLOSE YOUR EYES WITHOUT EYE LIDS, SO YOU CAN SEE AT ALL TIMES WHAT COMING AT YOU IN ALL ANGLES WEATHER IT’S MENTAL,PHYSICAL, OR SPIRITUALLY BUT YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS, NOT SLEEPING WALKING IN THE MENTAL OR SPIRITUAL)…

KILLING THEM SLOW SO THEY CAN SEE WHAT I DID….( NOT MEANING KILLING FOR REAL BUT KILLING THERE SO CALLED IMMATURE IDENTITY OF WHO THEY ARE SO THEY CAN GIVE BIRTH TO THE REAL SPIRITUAL IDENTITY FROM GOD WHICH HAS ETERNAL LIGHT AND INSIGHT WHICH IS WITHIN ONESELF)…

IF THEY DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT I SAID I’M PUSHING THERE EYEBALLS WAY TO THE BACK OF THERE HEAD SO THEY CAN SEE WHAT THEY GETTING INTO …..

THE PART OF THE MIND THAT THEY NEVER BEEN THROUGH..

THE JOURNEY IS COMING CAUSE YOUR GETTING SENT TO, A PLACE HARDER TO FIND, BUT IT’S ALL IN THE MENTAL….

I RUN A BRAINSCAN TO LOCATE YOUR GAME PLAN….

WHEN I’M THROUGH WITH YOUR BRAIN YOU AIN’T THE SAME MAN….!!!

DID YOU LOSE YOUR MIND OR GOT LOST IN THE MIND….

BUT THIS AIN’T THE LOST AND FOUND BECAUSE YOU CAN’T FIND YOUR FOUNDATION…IT’S COASTING…DRIFTING IN SLOW MOTION … YOUR FROZEN…

LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER MURDER IN THE MARDI GRAS…B!!!(IF YOU THINK YOU THERE MENTALLY AND YOUR LIGHT WHICH IS WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, AND UNDERSTANDING FROM GOD AND YOU NOT INTUNE WITH LIFES INSIGHT YET THEN YOU MIGHT AS WELL CONSIDER YOUR MENTAL AWARENESS MURDERED …THAT’S WHAT IT MEANS..)

TOO LATE TO SEND OUT A SEARCH PARTY ….

ONCE YOUR OUT OF YOUR HEAD THEN YOU CAN’T GET BACK…

I GIVE THEM A MAP BUT THEY STILL GET TRAPPED….( I GIVE THEM DIRECTION BECAUSE I’M RIGHTEOUS BUT THE IGNORANT GET MENTALLY TRAPPED …GET IT YET…)

PREPARE THE CHAMBER…THE TORTURE IS COMING UP….

WHEN YOU TRIP THROUGH YOUR MIND AT THE END YOU WILL FIND IT’S THE PUNISHER….(REMEMBER I SAID THAT YOUR MIND IS THE PUNISHER NOT THAT IM THE PUNISHER..(YOUR MIND BECOMES YOUR OWN ENEMY)…(THE MIND TAKES X-RAY’S SO LISTEN CLOSELY)…

MY INTELLECT WILL WRECK AND DISCONNECT YOUR CEREBRAL CORTEX THEN CEREBELLUM IS NEXT…

YOUR CONSCIENCE BECOMES SUB-CONSCIOUS….

SOON YOUR RESPONSE BECOMES NONSENSE….

YOUR LAST WORDS BECOME BLURRED… MUMBLED THEN SLURRED…

THEN YOUR VERBS WHICH IS YOUR ACTIONS BECOME NO LONGER HEARD….

THEN YOU GET YOUR LUNGS FRIED SO GOOD YOUR TONGUES TIED….

THEY TRIED TO SWING OR HANG WITH ME IN THE MENTAL BUT THEY HUNG TILL THEY DIED….( DIED MEANING ETERNAL MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL DARKNESS)…

I LEAVE THEM IN A MAUSOLEUM WHERE YOU CAN SEE THEM ….

BECAUSE I GOT A SPIRITUALLY AND MENTALLY DEAD PEOPLE MUSEUM….

WHEN I CREATE THEM….I CREMATE THEM AND COMPLICATE THEM….YOU CAN’T SAVE THEM…THERES NO ULTIMATUM…!!!

THERE MENTAL DARKNESS LAYS AROUND LIKE BODY’S BURNED TO ASHES….

WITH THE VICTIM’S NAME IN SLASHES….( MENTALLY SCARING THEM FOR LIFE )….

I GOT A LONG LIST AND I’M GONNA GET EVERY ONE OF YA…!!!

BEWARE OF THE PUNISHER….!!! (BEWARE OF YOUR OWN MIND AND SIRITUAL AWARENESS IN YOURSELF THAT’S WHAT IT MEANS)….

YOU A SLAVE TO WHATEVER MASTERS YOU…..WHEN DEALING WITH ANY TOPIC OR SITUATUION IN THIS LIFE…

REMEMBER OUT YOUR MOUTH YOU A SLAVE TO IT, BUT IF IT’S KEPT IN YOUR HEAD YOU CAN LEARN TO MASTER IT….!!!

CONSTANT ELEVATION…!!!

Matt

Rakim is the greatest of all time and this album is gonna be dope, hes also doing a collabo with Banks on Rotten Apple which will prolly be hot as hell. After this summer NY will have the game back on lock with drops from Rakim, Nas, Meth, Raekwon, Pap, Banks, AZ, Kool G. Rap just to name a few.

ur mom

dont forget X…

http://www.insanemacbeth.com Insane Macbeth

RAKIM is the GOD EMCEE, who introduced every style, method of writing, diction, concepts, etc. to lyricism. Shit, even Jay-Z (the most consistent emcee ever) said, “GOD EMCEE/ ME, JAY-HOVA!” on “TAKEOVER”. This is because, although everyone knew that S-DOT was rich before rap, JIGGAMAN wanted that status of immortality!

Some of the posts about his relevancy are valid; however, music should always be created because you still have the creative ‘juices’, so to speak. As The 18th Letter said, “WITH THE MIND/ THAT IS ONE OF ALLAAH’S BEST DESIGNS/ AND MINE’S IS GONNA STAND THE TEST OF TIME/ WHEN I RHYME!” Hence, his train of thought never dates, because he is on a different, more abstract level in regards to his writing process.

WHO CARES??? Probably New York, over 30s, and anyone into real art! People in London, UK care…..I guess that if Juelz put him in a video, then Dip Set, N.Y.s most flamboyant clique (even that swagger comes from the “PAID IN FULL” album cover) care, that he’ returning like JESUS!!!

Good for RAKIM, KRS-ONE, and KOOL G. RAP, hittin’ people with new albums again.

One more thing I would like to add; Rakim is the only emcee I have seen on the ‘net, whose been studied by academic scholars in regards to his syntax structure, methodology of writing, alliteration, nuance, oxymoron & concepts!

Bless.

Water

Rakim,

I will say this. Rakim is true to his heart. He is following his heart and his own path. This may or may not lead him to another hit record. At the end of the day I trust that brother will sleep well because he is living in integrity and speaking his own truth. Like Ra said, “thats good enough for me.”

The rest is up to you, and Rakim will say – Peace

GEE-OFF

RA, the fiend,Blastermaster of words,Big daddy of them all,the Common Sense of the game,The most thought provoking,Mc ever in History.For you(Cats)or should I say(Kittens)to even doubt Ra,is absurd. One over the past who has blessed us with many words,many angles,”Left I drink Old Gold”Epmd and Kane(stangled).My words to ya,”My Melody”

kevin averettt

GREATEST OF ALL TIME. THE “R”

nave

ra should put the songs hes comfortable with from oh my god on his next album, or atleast in a mixtape

dre4life

leaving aftermath & canceling the oh my god project is 1 of the worst news–ever, wather its for me or i believe for hip-hop. but its good to know that Ra is still workin on an album, i jus hope it will drop soon, i mean that seventh seal is on some detox shit, stop givin us sum bullshit releasin dates, drop the album already..

RotterdamSoldier

This is what keeping it real is really about…RA you got nothing but respect from me. For not doing what dre asked you to do for the mighty $$$… and just doing you instead and even being respectful to dre in the interview.Cause you are a real nigga for not wanting to put your people out there in songs like that.As far for dre..I’m a little dissapointed in him cause this album coulda been the shit. Peace

ARGUBALLY THE GREATEST BUT I’M NOT FEELING A COLLABO WITH DIPSET ONLY IF THEY CHANGE THEIR BULLSHIT CONTENT TO SOMETHING MEANING FUL.. RA AND SAIGON THAT SHIT WOULD BE FIRE!!

http://xxlmag.com Albert

rakim is fuckenm crazy maaan. i cant wait 2 get his cd.

Terrell G.

Greatest lyricists in hip hop history:

Rakim
Nas
Pac
Hova
Eminem

Deejay J. Maestro

FUCK EMINEM!!! There’s NO FUCKIN’ way that PUNK ASS CRACKA fit in that camp!!! When it comes to HIP HOP, the truest HIP HOP that is…!!! That muthafucka can’t even spit fire!!! “The muthafucka psychologicly think he can RAP, unconsciously!!! SICK ASS CRACKA!!!”